Conventional microwaves and convection microwaves are designed for different cooking purposes and have some key differences:
Heating Method: Conventional microwaves use electromagnetic waves (microwaves) to heat the food directly. They generate microwaves that excite water molecules in the food, causing friction and generating heat. Convection microwaves, on the other hand, combine microwave heating with the circulation of hot air. They have an additional heating element and a fan that circulates hot air inside the oven. This allows for more even and faster cooking, browning, and crisping.
Cooking Capabilities: Conventional microwaves are great for quickly reheating leftovers, defrosting food, and cooking simple meals. They excel at heating liquids and can be used for basic cooking tasks like boiling water, making popcorn, or heating up pre-packaged meals. Convection microwaves, with their added heating element and fan, offer the ability to bake, roast, grill, and brown food. They provide more versatile cooking options and can achieve results similar to those of a traditional oven.
Cooking Time: Convection microwaves generally cook food faster than conventional microwaves. The combination of microwave heating and hot air circulation speeds up the cooking process and helps achieve better browning and texture in certain dishes.
Energy Efficiency: In terms of energy efficiency, conventional microwaves are generally more energy-efficient than convection microwaves. This is because the additional heating element and fan in convection microwaves require more energy to operate. However, it's worth noting that the difference in energy consumption between the two types is typically not significant enough to cause a significant impact on utility bills.
It's important to consider your cooking needs and preferences when choosing between a conventional and convection microwave. If you primarily use a microwave for basic reheating and defrosting, a conventional microwave might be sufficient. However, if you enjoy baking, roasting, and grilling in addition to microwave cooking, a convection microwave would offer more versatility.